Explore the UK: Portsmouth tops new ranking of most accessible holiday destinations
From coastal escapes to capital culture, a new index reveals the best – and worst – places in the UK for inclusive travel.
In a country with growing demand for barrier-free travel, a new study has named Portsmouth the most accessible holiday destination in the UK. Scoring 78.89 out of 100, the coastal city leads a ranking of 27 locations across Britain, assessed for their inclusivity and ease of access for travellers with mobility needs.
The study, commissioned by senior travel site Senior Lovers, examined three key criteria: the percentage of wheelchair-accessible hotels, inclusive cultural tours, and accessible day trips in each location.
While historic architecture and cobbled charm often present barriers to inclusive travel, Portsmouth appears to be getting it right. It performed especially well for accessible day trips (66.67%) and tours (64.29%), while 14.77% of its hotels cater to wheelchair users. The result positions the city as a standout example of accessible tourism infrastructure.
Seaside towns outperform cities
In second place, Bournemouth continues the trend of coastal destinations outpacing metropolitan hubs. With an accessibility score of 71.95, the Dorset town offers a strong 50% of both tours and day trips as wheelchair-friendly. Hotel accessibility (21.82%) also outpaces several larger cities.
Unsurprisingly, London ranks third overall with a score of 69.62. The capital excels in hotel access—nearly 30% of its accommodations are wheelchair-friendly—and it offers the largest number of inclusive tours in raw figures. Yet, despite its cultural wealth, London’s day trip accessibility (36.51%) lags behind the seaside leaders.
Liverpool and Belfast round out the top five, with strong showings in hotel access (35.76% and 49.70% respectively). Belfast leads the country in hotel accessibility, though its tours and day trip provisions remain more modest.
A gap in rural access
Among rural and heritage destinations, the Cotswolds performed better than expected—ranking eighth with a score of 51.87—thanks to a surprisingly high share of accessible day excursions (40.23%). In contrast, Jersey placed last, scoring just 7.01, with no accessible tours or day trips identified in the study.
Elsewhere, major cities such as Glasgow, Cardiff, and Bristol fell below the national average, raising concerns about infrastructure shortfalls in urban tourism hotspots. Some destinations, like Sheffield and Blackpool, reported zero accessible tours or day trips.
A call for inclusive design
The report’s authors say the results highlight both progress and persistent gaps in accessibility across the UK. “These findings offer practical insights for older travellers or those with mobility needs, while also sending a clear signal to the travel industry,” the report states. “As more people seek to remain active and socially connected in later life, accessible infrastructure is not a luxury—it’s a necessity.”
Independence and inclusion are often talked about in the context of urban design or public transport—but for tourism, the conversation has lagged behind. This study, with its nuanced dataset, invites local councils and tour providers to ask a simple but urgent question: Who are we designing our cities for?
Most Accessible UK Holiday Destinations – Top 5:
- Portsmouth – Score: 78.89
- Bournemouth – Score: 71.95
- London – Score: 69.62
- Liverpool – Score: 60.70
- Belfast – Score: 54.94
Least Accessible Destinations:
- Norwich, Derby, Blackpool, and Jersey rank lowest, with zero accessible tours or day trips reported.
For full rankings and data, visit: seniorlovers.co.uk
Elena Leo is the Arts & Lifestyle Editor of Ikon London Magazine.
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